Men's Hockey ColumnFollowing a successful trip to South Africa, senior coach David Passmore has again to work with a curtailed squad for a four-nations tournament in Egypt.
The trip to Cairo will also involve some friendly matches in Egypt, as Passmore continues to prepare his squad for World Cup Qualifier action in China in April. But again the Irish management cannot select from a full complement of players.
With Mark Ruddle and Gareth Lennox unavailable because of academic commitments, Passmore is forced to travel with Charlie Henderson as the only goalkeeper. Ireland's top goalscorer, Stephen Butler, is unavailable because of work commitments, while Timmy Cockram is recalled after missing the South African trip for academic reasons.
"The situation is unavoidable, but with Nigel Henderson and Bateman having retired after Rome, we do not want to put a young keeper in before he is ready or has gained experience working at senior level," said Passmore.
"Of course, if you take two keepers and one is injured during a tournament you are in a similar situation, so it's something you just have to get used to. Goalkeeper coach Nigel Henderson will stay on standby back in Ireland in case his younger brother gets injured," he added.
Brian Waring was not considered for selection as he has withdrawn from the squad. The decision was an amicable one between Waring and Passmore.
"After a long chat and careful consideration, Brian has withdrawn from the squad for China," explained the coach. "There is no rift between us and Brian still remains a member of the senior squad."
Waring's wife is expecting their first baby in the summer but he remains committed to playing for Ireland in the future.
Cork Harlequins' Seán Nicholson, having missed the trip to South Africa, has been called up but is carrying an ankle injury.
IRELAND SQUAD: A Barbour (Cookstown), J Black, M Black (both Cork Harlequins), P Brown (Instonians), K Burns (Cork C of I), T Cockram (Lisnagarvey), M Gleghorn (Loughborough), R Gormley (Pembroke), C Henderson (Corinthians), D Hobbs (Cork C of I), M Irwin (Instonians). J Jermyn (Cork C of I), I Lewers (Annadale), E Magee (Banbridge), P Maguire (TCD), S Nicholson (Cork Harlequins), G Shaw (Glenanne), J Sherriff (Pembroke).
FOUR-NATIONS TOURNAMENT (in Cairo, Egypt) - Feb 25th: Ireland v Poland (18.00); Feb 26th: Ireland v Italy (16.00); Feb 28th: Ireland v Egypt (18.00); March 2nd: Crossover matches (15.30 and 18.00); March 3rd: Test Match v Egypt (Time TBC); March 4th: Test Match v Egypt (Time TBC) Saturday:
Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals - (2.30 unless stated) Annadale v Glenanne, Lough Moss; Kilkeel v Banbridge, Kilkeel HS; Cork Harlequins v Cork C of I; Lisnagarvey v Corinthians.
